Bucs Release Cornerback Darrelle Revis

Savings allow Buccaneers to sign five players, with more signings expected.

In this Dec. 1, 2013 file photo, Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Darrelle Revis clowns around with teammates during warm ups before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone, File)

Published: Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at 5:38 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at 5:38 p.m.

TAMPA | The Tampa Bay Bucs said releasing Pro Bowl cornerback Darrelle Revis on Wednesday had nothing to do with scheme. It came down to dollars and sense, and it did not make financial sense to keep Revis around.

In fact, Bucs General Manager Jason Licht said if the club had kept Revis and his $16 million salary, the club could not have made as big a splash in free agency as it has.

Had the Bucs not released Revis before the 4 p.m. deadline, the team would have not only have had to give Revis a $1.5 million roster bonus but also give the N.Y. Jets a third-round draft pick as the final stipulation of the deal.

Now, the Bucs get to save the money and only send the Jets a fourth-round pick.

More importantly, the Bucs get to spend the money on more than just one player, which was a huge need.

"I guess all I really say is you see these four guys here," Licht said. "You saw the transaction for adding the quarterback. We're not done yet. We wouldn't be able to do that if certain transactions hadn't happened. We have all the respect in the world for Darrelle. We wish him the best. He's going to continue being a very good player."

The Bucs entered the first day of free agency on Tuesday with around $24 million. With that, the Bucs signed defensive end Michael Johnson (Chicago), defensive tackle Clinton McDonald (Seattle), cornerback Alterraun Verner (Tennessee) and tight end Brandon Myers (N.Y. Giants).

On Wednesday, the Bucs announced they had signed former Chicago quarterback Josh McCown to a two-year deal worth $10 million plus incentives. He becomes the starter over incumbent second-year quarterback Mike Glennon, coach Lovie Smith said.

The Bucs introduced Johnson, McDonald, Verner and Myers to the media on Wednesday and will introduce McCowntoday. But McCown isn't expected to be alone. The club also had visits by receiver Ted Ginn (Carolina), cornerback Charles Tillman (Chicago), offensive lineman Anthony Collins (Cincinnati), linebacker Dane Fletcher (New England) and center Evan Dietrich-Smith. Also, the club is supposed to be hosting receiver Emmanuel Sanders following Sanders' trip to Jacksonville.

"We have a road map we're following," Licht said. "One of those plans that we had was to come out in free agency being aggressive, proactive (and) signing the right players for this football team. We're not simply talent collectors but it's finding the right fits. It's about building a championship team. With these four men sitting here (Wednesday), we feel we found those right fits."

It wouldn't have happened if the Bucs kept Revis at that salary. Licht said he and Revis' agents talked and negotiated about changing Revis' contract, but in the end the Revis camp declined. The Bucs attempted to trade the corner but couldn't find a taker, so they released him.

"We exhausted all avenues," Licht said. "We just came up empty. We've got into some very in-depth discussions. They were very amicable discussions. His agents were great people. They're very easy to deal with. Unfortunately, they were not easy enough for us to come to an agreement. They made the best decision for Darrelle and we felt we made the best decision for the Buccaneers."

Late Wednesday, ESPN reported that Revis has agreed to a one-year deal with New England for $12 million, which keeps him as the highest-paid cornerback.

Verner said he doesn't come in trying to replace Revis but just to do what he's always done, cause turnovers.

"It just seemed like a great fit for me to come here," Verner said. "I had a great feeling about this place and I'm ready to go to work and create all the turnovers that coach Smith loves and just make a difference. I feel like I can do that here and I feel like my teammates will expect it from me and I'm going to expect it from myself."

Johnson and McDonald were the prizes for the Bucs. Smith said the Bucs need a front four that can put pressure on the quarterback and got a little closer to that goal on Wednesday.

"As we build our football team, we talk about building from the front back and taking care of both of our lines," Smith said. "We're lucky to get two players like Michael and Clinton and (even) Brandon to do that."

McDonald was a reserve player on Seattle's Super Bowl team, where he had 5.5 sacks. Johnson had 3.5 sacks last year but had 11.5 sacks in Smith's last year as Chicago's coach.

"Even though the sack numbers weren't there, anybody that watched the film could see my play is trending upward," Johnson said. "I was very disruptive this year, even more so than I was the year before. Sometimes you are right there and you get them, sometimes you don't. The name of the game is one, get turnovers, disrupt the quarterback, get him off the spot."

[ Rick Brown may be reached at rick.brown@theledger.com. Follow his Bucs coverage at BucsScene.blogs.theledger.com and on Twitter @LedgeronBucs. ]

<p>TAMPA | The Tampa Bay Bucs said releasing Pro Bowl cornerback Darrelle Revis on Wednesday had nothing to do with scheme. It came down to dollars and sense, and it did not make financial sense to keep Revis around.</p><p>In fact, Bucs General Manager Jason Licht said if the club had kept Revis and his $16 million salary, the club could not have made as big a splash in free agency as it has.</p><p>Had the Bucs not released Revis before the 4 p.m. deadline, the team would have not only have had to give Revis a $1.5 million roster bonus but also give the N.Y. Jets a third-round draft pick as the final stipulation of the deal. </p><p>Now, the Bucs get to save the money and only send the Jets a fourth-round pick.</p><p>More importantly, the Bucs get to spend the money on more than just one player, which was a huge need.</p><p>"I guess all I really say is you see these four guys here," Licht said. "You saw the transaction for adding the quarterback. We're not done yet. We wouldn't be able to do that if certain transactions hadn't happened. We have all the respect in the world for Darrelle. We wish him the best. He's going to continue being a very good player."</p><p>The Bucs entered the first day of free agency on Tuesday with around $24 million. With that, the Bucs signed defensive end Michael Johnson (Chicago), defensive tackle Clinton McDonald (Seattle), cornerback Alterraun Verner (Tennessee) and tight end Brandon Myers (N.Y. Giants).</p><p>On Wednesday, the Bucs announced they had signed former Chicago quarterback Josh McCown to a two-year deal worth $10 million plus incentives. He becomes the starter over incumbent second-year quarterback Mike Glennon, coach Lovie Smith said.</p><p>The Bucs introduced Johnson, McDonald, Verner and Myers to the media on Wednesday and will introduce McCowntoday. But McCown isn't expected to be alone. The club also had visits by receiver Ted Ginn (Carolina), cornerback Charles Tillman (Chicago), offensive lineman Anthony Collins (Cincinnati), linebacker Dane Fletcher (New England) and center Evan Dietrich-Smith. Also, the club is supposed to be hosting receiver Emmanuel Sanders following Sanders' trip to Jacksonville. </p><p>"We have a road map we're following," Licht said. "One of those plans that we had was to come out in free agency being aggressive, proactive (and) signing the right players for this football team. We're not simply talent collectors but it's finding the right fits. It's about building a championship team. With these four men sitting here (Wednesday), we feel we found those right fits."</p><p>It wouldn't have happened if the Bucs kept Revis at that salary. Licht said he and Revis' agents talked and negotiated about changing Revis' contract, but in the end the Revis camp declined. The Bucs attempted to trade the corner but couldn't find a taker, so they released him. </p><p>"We exhausted all avenues," Licht said. "We just came up empty. We've got into some very in-depth discussions. They were very amicable discussions. His agents were great people. They're very easy to deal with. Unfortunately, they were not easy enough for us to come to an agreement. They made the best decision for Darrelle and we felt we made the best decision for the Buccaneers."</p><p>Late Wednesday, ESPN reported that Revis has agreed to a one-year deal with New England for $12 million, which keeps him as the highest-paid cornerback.</p><p>Verner said he doesn't come in trying to replace Revis but just to do what he's always done, cause turnovers.</p><p>"It just seemed like a great fit for me to come here," Verner said. "I had a great feeling about this place and I'm ready to go to work and create all the turnovers that coach Smith loves and just make a difference. I feel like I can do that here and I feel like my teammates will expect it from me and I'm going to expect it from myself."</p><p>Johnson and McDonald were the prizes for the Bucs. Smith said the Bucs need a front four that can put pressure on the quarterback and got a little closer to that goal on Wednesday.</p><p>"As we build our football team, we talk about building from the front back and taking care of both of our lines," Smith said. "We're lucky to get two players like Michael and Clinton and (even) Brandon to do that."</p><p>McDonald was a reserve player on Seattle's Super Bowl team, where he had 5.5 sacks. Johnson had 3.5 sacks last year but had 11.5 sacks in Smith's last year as Chicago's coach.</p><p>"Even though the sack numbers weren't there, anybody that watched the film could see my play is trending upward," Johnson said. "I was very disruptive this year, even more so than I was the year before. Sometimes you are right there and you get them, sometimes you don't. The name of the game is one, get turnovers, disrupt the quarterback, get him off the spot."</p><p>[ Rick Brown may be reached at rick.brown@theledger.com. Follow his Bucs coverage at BucsScene.blogs.theledger.com and on Twitter @LedgeronBucs. ]</p>